Method for the initial activation of a battery-operated device, device, and system

Abstract

The invention relates to a method for the initial activation of a battery-operated electric device (2). The method has the steps of detecting (S1) a movement of the device (2), transmitting (S2) a confirmation request to a mobile terminal (4) if a specific movement carried out by a user of the device has been detected, receiving (S3) a confirmation response from the mobile terminal (4) with respect to the confirmation request, and activating (S4) the device (2) if a positive confirmation response has been received. The invention also relates to a battery-operated electric device (2), which is designed to carry out steps of such a method, and to a system comprising such a device (2).

Description

[0001] ZF Friedrichshafen AG File 305683-WO-PCT Friedrichshafen 2025-12-15

[0002] Method for the initial activation of a battery-powered device, device and system

[0003] Technical field

[0004] A method for the initial activation of a battery-powered electrical device is described. Furthermore, a battery-powered electrical device configured to perform the steps of such a method is described. Finally, a system comprising such a device is described.

[0005] State of the art

[0006] Battery-powered electrical devices, such as tags or sensors, offer flexible deployment options. Their use is limited by the maximum electrical energy stored in the device's battery. For example, US Patent 2016 / 152250 A1 discloses that a sensor, as such a battery-powered device, can be activated and deactivated to conserve energy. The patent describes how activation and deactivation can be performed using waypoints along a route.

[0007] US 2018 / 0312182 A1 states that after activation of a device, different pieces of information determined by the device may have different levels of confidence when subsequently used. This can solve the problem of immediately locating a vehicle equipped with such a device after activation.

[0008] Before the initial activation or commissioning of such a battery-powered device, an electrical insulator, such as a plastic strip, may be placed between the device's battery and the contact surfaces of the device through which the battery is electrically connected. This plastic strip can interrupt the contact between the device and the battery. Before initial activation, the plastic strip can be removed, and for initial activation, for example, a user can manually remove the plastic strip. This prevents the battery from discharging during transport and storage of the device. ZF Friedrichshafen AG File 305683-WO-PCT Friedrichshafen 2025-12-15

[0009] However, some devices have batteries that are potted or sealed, making them inaccessible to the user. Therefore, such devices cannot have an electrical insulator, such as a plastic strip, between the battery and the device's contacts to protect the battery from unintentional discharge.

[0010] Description of the invention

[0011] In the first aspect, a method for the initial activation of a battery-powered electrical device is described. The method can be computer-implemented. The device can be a sensor or a tag. The device can be a playback device, for example, comprising at least one display and a speaker. The device can be configured for condition monitoring. For example, the device can be part of a condition monitoring system, such as for rail vehicles. The device can include a battery for powering the device.

[0012] Furthermore, the device can have a communication interface, for example, for transmitting information via Bluetooth and alternatively or additionally via radio. For example, the battery-powered electrical device can be a wireless sensor for detecting accelerations and alternatively or additionally inclinations. This allows, for example, the monitoring of industrial applications such as machinery. Thus, irregularities in industrial applications, such as irregularities in wheel-rail contact, can be measured and detected, and faulty drive train components and rail infrastructure can be identified.

[0013] In its factory default state, and for example before initial activation, the device may have an energy consumption of almost zero. Initial activation may involve waking the device from a deep sleep mode or deep sleep state. The device may be in this deep sleep mode, for example, when it is stored and then shipped, either as an alternative or in addition to its original state. ZF Friedrichshafen AG File 305683-WO-PCT Friedrichshafen 2025-12-15

[0014] For example, the device can be in a deep sleep mode after production. In this deep sleep mode, some components of the device can be supplied with electrical power, while others are not. This reduces energy consumption during deep sleep. Before the device is activated for the first time, it cannot be used to its full extent. After the initial activation, all components of the device can be supplied with electrical power from the device's battery.

[0015] The method involves detecting device movement. This detection can be achieved by measuring the device's acceleration, such as linear acceleration and, alternatively or additionally, rotational acceleration. This measurement can be performed using the device's gyroscope. For example, the device's acceleration can be measured periodically while in deep sleep mode. These intervals can be selected to minimize energy consumption for acceleration measurement. During the detection step, the measured acceleration can be analyzed and compared with data stored on the device's memory, such as acceleration data.

[0016] When a specific movement is detected, a confirmation request is sent to a mobile device. The system is designed to recognize a specific movement gesture performed by a user of the device. A specific movement is defined by a particular movement gesture that the user executes with the device. For example, a specific movement or movement gesture might occur if the device is initially in a first position for a specific duration and then in a second position for a specific duration. The first position could be defined, for example, as one side of the device facing upwards. The second position could be defined, for example, as the top of the device facing downwards. The first and second durations can be the same or different.For example, the user can first place the device in the first ZF Friedrichshafen AG file 305683-WO-PCT Friedrichshafen 2025-12-15.

[0017] The device moves to a specific position for the first time period and then to a second position for the second time period. For example, a user can simply rotate the device from one side to the other. The specific movement of the device can then be detected. There can be one or more specific movements.

[0018] The mobile device can be, for example, a smartphone, tablet, or laptop. The user can own the mobile device. The confirmation request can be a message sent from the device to the device. Sending the confirmation request can, for example, only occur if a specific movement has been detected. If the specific movement is not detected, the confirmation request is not sent. Sending the confirmation request can be done via the device's communication interface and via another communication interface on the mobile device. For example, the confirmation request can be sent via Bluetooth and, alternatively or additionally, via radio. Depending on the connection type, such as Bluetooth or radio, the device and the device can be located in the same or separate locations.

[0019] Furthermore, the procedure involves receiving a confirmation response from the mobile device to the confirmation request. This confirmation response can be a message sent from the device to the device. The user can influence the confirmation response on the mobile device. For example, after sending the confirmation request, the user can be shown information about the request on the device's display. The user can then be prompted to confirm the activation of the device. The user can then confirm the confirmation request, for example, by entering text on the device's display, such as a touchscreen.

[0020] Information regarding this can be sent from the terminal device to the device and received by the device in the confirmation response. For example, if the user confirms the activation request, i.e., agrees to the activation of the device, a positive confirmation response is recorded. If the user does not agree, no positive confirmation response is recorded. For example, the user may be prompted to send the confirmation request. (ZF Friedrichshafen AG File 305683-WO-PCT Friedrichshafen 2025-12-15)

[0021] To confirm the activation of the device, a confirmation can then be sent to the device.

[0022] Furthermore, the procedure involves activating the device upon receiving a positive acknowledgment response. Activating the device allows it to enter a waking or permanently active state. For example, once successfully activated, the device can never be returned to deep sleep mode. After successful activation, the device can, for instance, power all its components and thus be used to its full extent. For example, a device configured as a sensor can, after activation, acquire sensor data at shorter, periodic intervals, such as for condition monitoring.

[0023] This method allows for the initial activation of the device. It can achieve lower power consumption before activation and higher power consumption after activation and successful activation. Thus, the device can be in an energy-saving transport and storage state before initial activation. The initial activation then transitions the device into an active or waking state. Furthermore, by combining the detection of a specific movement with the receipt of a positive confirmation response, unintentional activation of the device can be prevented solely through the detection of the specific movement, even if the user does not intend to activate the device.Only when the user wants to activate the device can they perform the activation gesture as a specific movement of the device and then confirm it after receiving the confirmation request on their mobile device. The device can then be activated. This prevents unintentional activation of the device and thus also avoids unwanted energy consumption.

[0024] Compared to known methods and devices, an electrical insulator, such as a plastic strip, between the contact surfaces of the device and a battery of the device can be omitted. For the initial activation of ZF Friedrichshafen AG File 305683-WO-PCT Friedrichshafen 2025-12-15

[0025] Devices using this initial activation method do not require the removal of an insulator, and generally do not need to have one in place to enable the device's deep sleep mode. Therefore, even devices with permanently installed batteries and, for example, a closed housing, can use this initial activation method.

[0026] Furthermore, additional input interfaces, such as a button or a touchscreen, are not required on the device. This allows for a simpler design and protection against external influences such as weather. This method also optimizes the device's energy management by integrating it with a mobile device. This prevents the device's batteries from discharging during transport and storage. After successful activation, a connection can be established between the device and a gateway, enabling pairing. Once paired, the device remains permanently operational and in a wake-up state.

[0027] According to a further embodiment, the method can be characterized in that the device is not activated if no confirmation response has been received. For example, if communication between the device and the terminal device occurs via Bluetooth and not via radio, and the device and the terminal device are not within Bluetooth range of each other, at least one of the steps—sending the confirmation request and receiving the confirmation response—may fail. In such a case, for example, no confirmation response may be received, and activation may not occur. Alternatively or additionally, the mobile terminal device may display the confirmation request on its screen. However, the user may be unable to confirm this request for various reasons.For example, the user does not want to activate the device and ignores the confirmation request. Therefore, no confirmation response is received. Consequently, no confirmation response is sent from the terminal device to the device and received by the device. (ZF Friedrichshafen AG File 305683-WO-PCT Friedrichshafen 2025-12-15.)

[0028] If active confirmation from the user in the form of a positive confirmation response has not been received, the activation of the device will not be carried out, for example, so that the initial activation of the device cannot be performed.

[0029] According to a further embodiment, the method can be characterized in that the device is not activated if a negative confirmation response is received. For example, a negative confirmation response occurs when the user does not provide confirmation and rejects the request. A negative confirmation response is, for instance, an active rejection of the confirmation request by the user. Thus, the user rejects, for example, the initial activation of the device. This can occur, for example, if a specific movement has been detected, but the user did not intend to actively perform that specific movement of the device. For example, the user may have only moved the device for transport purposes, but did not intend to activate it for the first time at that point. In this case, the user rejects the confirmation request, resulting in a negative confirmation response.

[0030] According to a further embodiment, the method can be characterized by the ability to start a timer. The timer can have a specific duration. This duration can be predefined and stored, for example, in the device's memory. Alternatively or additionally, the timer can be determined based on user input via the mobile device and communication between the device and the device. The timer can, for example, be 1 minute, 2 minutes, or 3 minutes long. The timer can be started when the specific movement is detected. For example, the timer can be started immediately after the specific movement is detected. The user can, for instance, move the device in such a way that the specific movement is detected, and then the timer can be started immediately. The timer can also be referred to as a confirmation timer.ZF Friedrichshafen AG File 305683-WO-PCT Friedrichshafen 2025-12-15.

[0031] For example, the device can be switched from deep sleep or deep sleep mode to a pairing state when a specific movement is detected. Upon entering the pairing state, the timer can be started. The device can remain in this pairing state for a maximum of the timer's duration. In the pairing state, the device can communicate with the end device via communication methods such as Bluetooth or radio. The device can be activated if a positive confirmation response is received before the timer expires. For example, the device will only be activated if the positive confirmation response is received before the timer expires. Thus, the user has, for instance, a maximum of the timer's duration to confirm the confirmation request and thereby allow the initial activation of the device.If the positive confirmation response is received before the timer expires, the device can be activated. The timer ensures that the more energy-intensive coupling state is only maintained for a specific period of time.

[0032] According to a further embodiment, the method can be characterized in that the device is not activated if no positive acknowledgment response is received before the timer expires. The absence of a positive acknowledgment response can be, for example, no acknowledgment response at all or a negative acknowledgment response. For instance, the user might only confirm the acknowledgment request after a certain period of time, which is longer than the timer. The positive acknowledgment response is then received, for example, after the timer has expired, and thus the device is not activated. Alternatively, only a negative acknowledgment response is received before the timer expires. In this case, too, the device is not activated. After the timer expires and no positive acknowledgment response has been received, the device can be transitioned from the coupling state to the deep sleep state.This allows the device to be transferred to transport and storage mode in deep sleep mode.

[0033] According to a further embodiment, the method can be characterized in that a current state of the device is detected. ZF Friedrichshafen AG File 305683-WO-PCT Friedrichshafen 2025-12-15

[0034] The device can be configured to detect its current state. This state can be deep sleep, coupled, or awake. Motion detection can be performed when the device's current state is identified as deep sleep. For example, detection of a specific motion can only be performed when the device's current state is identified as deep sleep. This prevents the specific motion from being continuously detected and the battery energy from being used for detection when the device is not in deep sleep. In states other than deep sleep, motion detection may not be necessary.

[0035] According to a further embodiment, the method can be characterized in that the activation step can be performed a maximum of once in a device's life cycle to bring the device into the waking state. Thus, after successful initial activation, the device can remain permanently in the waking state. The device can remain permanently in the waking state because it cannot be brought back into the deep sleep state, but can, for example, be brought into a sleep state, which may differ from the deep sleep state. After successful initial activation, the device can, for example, be brought into states other than the deep sleep state. The deep sleep state may differ from a general sleep state of the device in that the device's average energy consumption in the sleep state is higher than in the deep sleep state.

[0036] According to a further embodiment, the method can be characterized in that status information from the device can be sent to the mobile device. Status information from the device can include information about the device's status. For example, status information can include information about the device's current state. Thus, when the device has been switched to the coupling state, status information can be sent to the device and displayed to the user via the device's display. Furthermore, when the device has been switched to the waking state, ZF Friedrichshafen AG File 305683-WO-PCT Friedrichshafen 2025-12-15

[0037] Status information is sent to the end device and displayed on its screen. This allows the user to see the device's current state. A separate display for the device is not necessary; the end device's display can be used instead. This can increase user convenience and safety when using the device. The user can thus verify the device's status, for example, whether it has been successfully activated for the first time, is still in deep sleep mode, or is currently pairing.

[0038] A second aspect concerns a battery-powered electrical device. The device may be configured to perform steps of a method according to an embodiment of the first aspect. The device may include, among other things, at least one battery, a gyroscope, a communication interface, and a control unit. The control unit may, for example, be integrated into a circuit board of the device. The device may include exactly one battery or an energy storage device designed as a battery. Further features, embodiments, and advantages of the second aspect can be found in the features, embodiments, and advantages of the first aspect. Furthermore, features, embodiments, and advantages of the second aspect represent features, embodiments, and advantages of the first aspect.

[0039] A third aspect concerns a system comprising a device according to an embodiment of the second aspect and a mobile terminal. The mobile terminal, for example, a laptop, smartphone, or tablet, may, in addition to a communication interface (e.g., for communication via Bluetooth or radio), also have an output device (e.g., a display, screen, or indicator). Furthermore, the terminal may have an input device (e.g., a touchscreen). Further features, embodiments, and advantages of the third aspect can be found in the features, embodiments, and advantages of the first and second aspects. Furthermore, features, embodiments, and advantages of the third aspect represent features, embodiments, and advantages of the first and second aspects. ZF Friedrichshafen AG File 305683-WO-PCT Friedrichshafen 2025-12-15

[0040] Brief description of the characters

[0041] Fig. 1 schematically shows a device and a mobile terminal.

[0042] Fig. 2 schematically shows steps of a method for the initial activation of the device shown in Fig. 1.

[0043] Fig. 3 schematically shows states which the device shown in Fig. 1 assumes when performing the steps of the method shown schematically in Fig. 2.

[0044] Detailed description of embodiments

[0045] Fig. 1 shows a battery-powered electrical device 2 and a mobile terminal 4. The mobile terminal 4 is a user's mobile phone. The device 2 and the terminal 4 form a system. The device 2 has a gyroscope 6. Furthermore, the device 2 has a battery 8. The device 2 also has a communication interface 10. The terminal 4 has a communication interface 12 and a display 14. The respective components of the device 2 and the terminal 4 are electrically and electronically connected to each other. Control units implemented on the circuit boards of the device 2 and the terminal 4 are not shown.

[0046] Fig. 2 schematically shows the steps of a method for the initial activation of the battery-powered electrical device 2. The device 2 is configured to execute the steps of the method schematically shown in Fig. 2. Fig. 3 schematically shows the states of a state machine of the device 2 from Fig. 1. At any given time, the device 2 is in exactly one of three states: a deep sleep state A, a coupling state B, and a waking state C. Conditions are defined for a state transition between these states A, B, and C, which must be met to move from one state to the next. ZF Friedrichshafen AG File 305683-WO-PCT Friedrichshafen 2025-12-15

[0047] The method includes a detection (SO) of the current state of the device 2. The device 2 is configured to detect its current state. Initially, the device 2 is in deep sleep state A. The method includes a detection (S1) of a movement of the device 2. Movement detection (S1) is performed when the current state of the device 2 is recognized as deep sleep state A. Movement detection (S1) is not performed in states B and C. Movement detection (S1) is performed using the gyroscope 6. Thus, a rotational acceleration of the device 2 is periodically detected by the gyroscope 6. A specific movement is defined by a specific movement gesture, which the user performs while holding the device 2.If the user performs this specific movement gesture by rotating the device 2 from a first side to a second side of the device 2, the specific movement occurs and is recognized.

[0048] When the specific movement is detected, the device 2 transitions from deep sleep state A to coupling state B. In coupling state B, a communicative connection is established between the device 2 and the mobile device 4, here via Bluetooth. When the specific movement is detected, an acknowledgment request S2 is sent to the mobile device 4. This acknowledgment request is sent via the Bluetooth connection between the device 2 and the mobile device 4, using communication interfaces 10 and 12. Furthermore, a timer S5 is started when the specific movement is detected. The timer is a hard-coded timer stored in a memory of the device 2 and, according to this embodiment, is set to 3 minutes. In other embodiments, not shown here, the timer has a different duration. Finally, status information from the device 2 is sent to the mobile device 4 S6.The status information includes information about the current state of device 2. The user is shown on display 14 that device 2 is in coupling state B.

[0049] Furthermore, the procedure involves receiving an acknowledgment response (S3) from the mobile device 4 to the acknowledgment request. The user acknowledges the acknowledgment request, thereby authorizing the initial activation of the device 2. ZF Friedrichshafen AG File 305683-WO-PCT Friedrichshafen 2025-12-15

[0050] The user confirms the confirmation request via user input on display 14, which is a touchscreen. This constitutes a positive confirmation response. The confirmation response is sent from terminal device 4 to device 2 and is received by device 2. Only if a positive confirmation response is received before the timer expires is the activation S4 of the device performed. Device 2 then transitions from the coupling state B to the waking state C. All components of device 2 are then usable and are supplied with electrical energy from battery 8.

[0051] The activation process (S4) of device 2 is not performed if no confirmation response is received. For example, if the user does not respond to the confirmation request, no confirmation response is sent from terminal 4 to device 2, and no confirmation response is received. In this case, activation (S4) is not performed. Furthermore, activation (S4) of device 2 is not performed if a negative confirmation response is received. For example, if the user declines the initial activation of device 2 and enters a corresponding user input into display 14, a negative confirmation response is received. Therefore, activation (S4) of device 2 is not performed if no positive confirmation response is received before the timer expires. If a positive confirmation response is received after the timer expires, activation (S4) of device 2 is not performed.Rather, the device 2 transitions from coupling state B to deep sleep state A when the timer has expired and no positive acknowledgment response has been received before the timer expired.

[0052] The activation step S4 can be executed a maximum of once per lifecycle of device 2. Thus, activation S4 can be executed exactly once to transition device 2 into the waking state C. Once device 2 has been successfully transitioned into waking state C, it can no longer be transitioned into either state A or B. In waking state C, device 2 is fully operational. ZF Friedrichshafen AG File 305683-WO-PCT Friedrichshafen 2025-12-15

[0053] After activation S4, a status message S7 is sent from the device 2 to the mobile device 4. The user can see on the display 14 that the device is in waking state C.

[0054] This method enables the device 2 to be activated from a deep sleep state or deep sleep mode to a waking state. The combination of a movement gesture and user confirmation via the terminal device 4 virtually eliminates the possibility of unintentional initial activation through the accidental execution of the movement gesture. This increases the reliability of activating the device 2. The user also receives information about the current status of the device 2 via the status information. No other user interfaces of the device 2 are required for this purpose.

[0055] required. ZF Friedrichshafen AG File 305683-WO-PCT

[0056] Friedrichshafen 2025-12-15

[0057] Reference sign

[0058] 2 Device

[0059] 4 mobile device

[0060] 6 Gyroscope

[0061] 8 batteries

[0062] 10, 12 Communication interface

[0063] 14 Display

[0064] 50 Recognizing a current state

[0065] 51 Recognizing a movement

[0066] 52 Sending a confirmation request

[0067] 53 Receiving a confirmation response

[0068] 54 Activating the device

[0069] 55 Starting a timer

[0070] S6, S7 Sending a status information

[0071] A deep sleep state

[0072] B Coupling state

[0073] C Wakeful state

Claims

ZF Friedrichshafen AG File 305683-WO-PCT Friedrichshafen 2025-12-15 Patent claims 1. Method for the initial activation of a battery-powered electrical device (2) comprising the steps: detecting (S1) a movement of the device (2); when a specific movement performed by a user of the device has been detected, sending (S2) a confirmation request to a mobile terminal (4); Receiving (S3) an acknowledgment response from the mobile device (4) to the acknowledgment request; if a positive acknowledgment response was received, activating (S4) the device (2).

2. Method according to claim 1, characterized in that the activation (S4) of the device (2) is not carried out if no confirmation response has been received.

3. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the activation (S4) of the device (2) is not carried out if a negative confirmation response has been received.

4. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a timer is started (S5) when the specific movement has been detected, and that the device is activated (S4) when the positive confirmation response has been received before the timer has expired.

5. Method according to claim 4, characterized in that the activation (S4) of the device (2) is not carried out if no positive confirmation response has been received before the timer has expired.

6. A method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a detection (SO) of a current state of the device (2) is performed, and the detection (S1) of the movement is performed when a deep sleep state (A) of the device (2) has been detected as the current state. ZF Friedrichshafen AG File 305683-WO-PCT Friedrichshafen 2025-12-15 7. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the activation step (S4) can be performed a maximum of once in a life cycle of the device (2) in order to bring the device (2) into a waking state (C).

8. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a sending (S6; S7) of status information from the device (2) to the mobile terminal (4) is carried out.

9. Battery-operated electrical device (2) which is configured to perform steps of a method according to claims 1 to 8.

10. System comprising a device (2) according to claim 9 and a mobile terminal (4).

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